Senator Chuck Grassley commented on the President's decision today to stop the international Keystone XL pipeline project. This project was approved in 2010 by the Canadian National Energy Board. The Keystone pipeline would transport 830,000 barrels of crude oil a day and help to counteract both insufficient domestic oil supplies and reduce dependence on less reliable foreign sources. It's been under review by the Obama administration for more than three years.
Senator Grassley's comment:
"President Obama's decision is stunning for how it favors extreme environmentalism over job creation and an energy partnership with a friendly neighbor, a relationship that could reduce America's dependence on volatile foreign energy sources, including Venezuela, Libya and OPEC. His decision disregards the fact that unemployment in the United States remains at record high levels, and consumers face the possibility of $5 gas this summer.
"The reality that President Obama has flat out rejected the priorities of grass-roots Americans for job creation and energy production that's close to home means Congress needs to act. Whether or not the U.S. approves the Keystone pipeline project, the oil will be produced, and if it doesn't come here, China likely will get it. So, it's impossible to see how President Obama could deny that the Keystone pipeline project is in the national interest."
